Christians - What's your opinion on mental illness?

Question

Sadly there's still a lot of ignorant prejudice and discrimination against the mentally ill in today's society.
My dad suffered from bipolar disorder, and because of that he faced a lot discrimination throughout his life due to the stigma of mental illness. I myself was diagnosed with PTSD when I was a kid, but because how mental illness is portrayed in the media, people still fear it.
The funny thing is, racist discrimination has been successfully fought against, the same with sexist, homophobic, classist, colorist, elitist etc... But what about psychophobia?

Answer 1

All forms of Mental illness are caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain. It is not a weakness. There is nothing to fear. People must be committed to taking their medications. For some reason bipolar are the most notorious, for stopping their Meds once they are feeling better. I could always tell once a client had stopped her medications, (I had two bipolar)There can be a series of events in one life that can trigger a chemical imbalance, such as in your case. Being diagnosed with P.T.S.D. Mental illness can be not cured but treated by medications and Therapy.I believe that if the client were open themselves to the Love of the Lord that can be an added bonus. sometimes with therapy, group involvement in church, having a active life style as well as medications. God gave man a brain so that man can help God out by becoming a chemist, to make medications, and doctors to treat people. Someone with a caring heart to become a Therapist, for clients with more severe problems or a counselor.

Answer 2

No sin ever gets overlooked. Jesus paid for all sin. The sin is credited to His account which is already paid for, so it is perfectly just for God to allow the repentant sinner into heaven. As for schizophrenia, the book of Romans chapter 7 says that we all (true Christians)have a little schizophrenia because we want to do what's right but we find ourselves sinning. We have the flesh and the new creation that God made when we converted (II Corinthians 5:17). I think God would rid the man of the atheist personality with time spent in God's presence and counseling. However, this story is very highly unlikely to occur. The schizophrenia you mentioned may very well be brought on by demons. In that case, the man can be delivered through a simple exorcism. Jesus Christ gave us authority over demons. It's not really as complicated as Hollywood likes to make it sound. Oddly enough, I met a missionary who ran into a schizophrenic on the mission field who killed her husband. He was a native so he wasn't raised a Christian, but I'm pretty sure God cured him of his schizophrenia when he became a Christian. I'm not positive though because I'm not sure if he ever did get saved. The details of the story are a little fuzzy in my brain. It was a while ago that I heard it.

Answer 3

Mental illness is an illness just like any other. People with mental illness should be treated no differently than someone with diabetes or asthma . Sadly, I have to agree that there is still a lot of fear and prejudice about mental illness. People are not very good at understanding what they can't see. I am a Christian by the way and feel only compassion for those like your father and yourself. I have also suffered from depression. Strangely enough I nearly didn't get a job with the NHS because of my history. I was on anti depressants at the time of my medical and the doctor who did my medical recommended that I was not a good candidate! How's that for discrimination and coming from a so called caring profession!

Answer 4

Mental illness is considered a sort on stigma in many societies and Christians aren't an exception.The awareness is coming but slowly.Like other issues you mentioned,it would take time for the humanity to come around in accepting mental disorders and illness as any other ailments.

Answer 5

Science says it's due to Genomal blue print differences from the atypical. So you can either except it as God's plan or a proof of evolution with the Genomes in state of flux.

Basically science says it's a hard wire problem or a triggering problem. In the case of triggering problems chemical additives can help.

Science is probably correct or at least on the right track. The question is were you designed this way or is it just a fluke.

Answer 6

How about a non-Xian? People are frightened of what they don't understand.

The Problem with Mental Illness is that a person _looks_ 'normal' (for many definitions of normal) so it's hard to use the familiar social skills when they are not suitable for the situation.

People just don't like feeling uncomfortable. Whether it's an unfamiliar faith or an unfamiliar behaviour.

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Answer 7

A lot of our mental Illnesses are man made ie.Drugs,inbreeding, and scientific testing. Regardless If It's man made or not, these people usually cannot function In the general society. I don't discriminate against them, but I do believe they need to be properly cared for in a controlled environment so as not to hurt themselves or society.How many times must someone go free after committing a brutal crime because he is considered unfit to stand trial.

Answer 8

Mental illness is and evil Russell. I've lived with it for all my life as a manic depressive. Bipolar now because the politically correct do not want a stigma attached to it you know.
I get through it with medications, and psychiatric care in a long run, but daily? Only God gets me through the day every day. I hang on to Him with prayer and daily readings of His Holy Word, the scriptures.
It is an evil this mental illness. But then ...all things gone wrong in nature is an evil isn't it?

Answer 9

"...But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. "............Matthew 5:22.
"..It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! "..............Matthew 10:25.
Narrow-minded and evil people are cruel and merciless. Christian must not be such as people of this world. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Answer 10

People don't discriminate against people with mental illnesses. But lets face facts here. Crazy is as crazy does. You can't portray all mentally ill people as good people. No matter how you want it to be most people are going to avoid the guy that talks to him self and smells like pee. Sorry but those are the facts.